Good safety practices protect a project’s most valuable assets— its workers.
Kevin Crawford, an Atlas Insurance Agency risk consultant, says a reduction in frequency and severity of work comp claims can also correlate to lower insurance premiums—a good idea now that a key factor in determining premiums has increased by 8.2%.
Crawford says heavy equipment operators should:
WEAR A SEAT BELT Seat belts increase the odds of surviving a crash or rollover.
CONDUCT DAILY INSPECTIONS Daily walk-arounds will reveal obvious signs of damage. Record inspections and properly tag equipment for service.
FOLLOW THE USER MANUAL Manufacturers’ user manuals cover machine operations, safety procedures and other checklists. OSHA requires operators to read and understand equipment related information.
Cat corporate marketing and strategy manager, says Cat’s new Next Generation dozers, such as the D2, bring many ownership benefits: “Grade with 3D and Slope Assist helps operators achieve the best quality grading results; new technologies make the operation easier and more efficient. Ownership costs are up to 10% lower with improved fuel efficiency, easier maintenance and longer undercarriage life.” New models also boast up to 15% more performance.
Cat’s Next Generation mini excavators, he says, offer operator comfort with sealed and pressurized cabs, suspension seats, A/C and adjustable wrist rests. “Performance is increased by nearly 20% with improvements in lift, swing, travel and multifunction. Our industry exclusive Stick Steer Travel mode is a game changer.” Popular models are the 308 and the new 306.
Allied Machinery Corp.: Case, Takeuchi
Alex Feyerisen, Allied Machinery vice president, says Allied’s exciting new Hawaii offerings include the new Case E Series excavator line, which features “an all-new CX365E SR, a 36-ton minimum tail-swing model.”
Case has also introduced the “compact dozer loader”—a new product category. The new DL550 Minotaur, Feyerisen says, has “the agility, functionality and versatile range of attachments for a traditional track loader while adding the power, six-way
